How to - Step Climbs - Auto/Manual - Setup & Operation

[richboy2307]

The FMS in the iniBuilds A340 airliner supports step climbs which can be setup manually or imported automatically from your Simbrief OFP. Additionally, these step climbs can be initiated manually or automatically at the pre-defined waypoints. Both the setup and operation will be discussed in more detail below.

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Accessing FMS Step Alts Page

The desired Step Climbs can be entered manually or imported directly into the FMS STEP ALTS. There are 2 ways to access this page:

1. Via PERF > CRZ page
   
    
2. Via F-PLN > VERT REV page of any waypoint that is beyond your Top of Climb (T/C) pseudo waypoint
   
    

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   Note: The INIT B Page, ZFW and BLOCK fields, need to be populated first in order for the T/C waypoint to be calculated.

   

    

Setup - Manual Entry

The desired step altitude can be entered on the FMS STEP ALTS page in the 'WAYPOINT/ALT' format (e.g. ARKIN/330 or ARKIN/33000)

Setup - Auto Import via Simbrief

The step climbs can be automatically imported onto the FMS STEP ALTS page along with your flightplan from Simbrief as long as the following conditions are satisfied:

• A valid SIMBRIEF USER ID (Numbers only) is set via the EFB Settings > 3rd Party Settings page.
• The AUTO IMPORT STEP CLIMB option is enabled via the EFB Settings > Aircraft Settings page.
• The INIT REQUEST* button is pressed to import a flightplan on the FMS INIT A page.

 
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Operation - Automatic Step Climb

The step climbs entered on the FMS STEP ALTS page will be conducted automatically as long as the following conditions are satisfied:

• The AUTO STEP CLIMB option is enabled via the EFB Settings > Aircraft Settings page.
• The FMS STEP ALTS page is filled with target WAYPOINT/STEP ALT information
• The target step altitude is not above the REC MAX altitude computed at the time of reaching target waypoint
  (else step will be deleted and ignored)

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Note: It is recommended to disable the AUTO STEP CLIMB option whilst flying in controlled airspace on online networks to avoid inadvertent pilot deviation.

Operation - Manual Step Climb

When you are approaching your target step climb waypoint, you will receive a STEP AHEAD message on the FMS. At this point, verify that the target altitude is below your currently computed REC MAX altitude which is found on the FMS PROG page.

To initiate the step, simply dial in your target step altitude on the FCU ALT window, then push the ALT knob to initiate a managed climb. The FMS CRZ FL will also update to the target altitude.